Rotary type can opener



Feb. 21, 1950 E. MCLEAN I 2,498,440

ROTARY TYPE CAN OPENER Filed June 13, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet l gimme/whor I 9205011? ml/4359mm Feb. 21, 1950 E, MCL N 2,498,440

ROTARY TYPE CAN OPENER Feb. 21, 1950 R. E. M LEAN ROTARY TYPE CAN OPENER 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 13, 1946 Feb. 21, 1950 MOLEAN 2,498,440

ROTARY TYPE CAN OPENER Filed June 15, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 -IIIIJ-IIIIIII Feb. 21, 1950 R. E. M LEAN ROTARY TYPE CAN OPENER 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 13, 1946 3mm flake/rt Patented Feb. 21, 1950 UNITED STATES TENT OFFICE ROTARY TYPE CAN OPENER Application June 13, 1946, Serial No. 676,453

18 Claims.

This invention relates generally to the class of cutlery and pertains particularly to improvements in can opening devices and more especially such devices of the rotary drive wheel type.

The opener of the present invention is of a type in which there is provided a single operating handle by means of which both oscillating and rotating motion is obtainable to accomplish the sequential operations of mechanically forcing a cutting element through a can head and simultaneously gripping the can rim or flange between such cutting element and a driving wheel, it being a particular object of the present invention to provide generally an improved construction of can rim engaging and can supporting means whereby rotational movement of the can relative to the cutting element may be effected with a minimum of effort and the operation of the device as a whole generally improved.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rotary drive wheel type can opener designed to be operated by a single operating handle of the character stated, wherein an improved knife or cutter element supporting means is provided, which is of a resilient character to readily shift the cutting element away from a can body when the operating handle is oscillated to an upright position and which moves into can engaging position under the urge of the handle when the handle is shifted to a horizontal working position, against a yieldable spring element which is shifted toward, and assists in maintaining in position, the rim of a can, when the rim is mounted upon a rotary supporting or driving wheel. I

Still another object of the invention is to provide a can opener of the rotary drive wheel type, having operating means of the character above set forth, wherein a direct drive is had between the operating handle and the can rim engaging driving wheel.

Still another object of the invention is to provide, in a can opener of the character stated, novel yielding means for maintaining the can rim engaging and supporting wheel in proper position with respect to the cutter element whereby relative yielding movement between the cutter and the can rim engaging part is permitted under certain circumstances as, for example, when a thickened portion of the can body, such as a can seam, is passing between the cutter and the driving wheel.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a can opener which is sturdy, durable, efficient and simple and easy to operate and which 2 because of such sturdy and durable construction, is particularly suitable for hard usage, as where numerous cans must be opened in limited time and the device must be depended upon to usually long time.

"The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not confined to a strict conformity with the showing of the drawings but may be changed or modified so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient fea-; tures of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of one embodiment of a can opener constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of the same, showing, in side elevation, a portion of the sup-, port on which the opener is mounted.

Figure 3 is a View in top plan of the opener.

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 3. I

Figure 5 is a horizontal section taken substan tially on the line 55 of Figure 4. v

Figure 6 is a vertical section corresponding to Figure 4 but showing the operating handle raised and the opener in condition to receive a can, the outer end portion of the handle being removed.

Figure 7 is a detail section illustrating the use of, a rotary or disk cutter in place of the rigid straight cutter shown in the preceding figures.

Figure 8 is a view in side elevation of the opener structure shown in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive but modified for mounting on a wall bracket and showing a modified arrangement of the driving wheel support and can rest.

Figure 9 is a view in side elevation of a can opener having a structure corresponding to the opener shown in my prior Patent No. 2,386,490 of October 9, 1945, but having a modified can rim engaging supporting wheel and mounted upon a vertical supporting post in the manner'herein after described.

Figure 10 is a view in vertical section of the opener structure shown in Figure 9 but illustrating the mounting of the same upon a wall bracket type of support and illustrating another formof can rest and mounting for the can rim engaging can supporting wheel.

Figure 11 is a view in side elevation of a fur- 3 ther modification of the opener structure shown in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive, embodying an alternate or modified spring construction.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, reference will first be had to the embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive. In these figures the numeral l generally designates a supporting post or standard upon which the opener is mounted, such post being slidably engaged at its lower end in a guide I l which is secured, as shown, to the flange portion l2 of a plate l3, through the medium of lateral wings l4 formed integrally with the guide H, and rivets l5 or other suitable securing elements which pass through the wings and through the flange [2 in the manner illustrated.

The plate I3 is designed to be placed upon the top of a table or other suitable support, here designated 16, with the flange I2 extending downwardly across an edge thereof whereby the guide is vertically disposed and also the post I0 mounted therein. Suitable securing elements such as screws H are passed through the plate I3 into the underlying support to maintain the device in fixed position and the plate 13, being of'substantial width and length, provides a suitable wear surface upon which cans may be posi-, tioned preparatory to the application thereto of the cutter device.

As shown particularly in Figures 2, 4 and 6 the post. in has an inner face portion l8 which is inclined slightly toward the plate l3 or in other words extends oblique to the length of the post for the purpose of disposing the hereinafter specifically described can rim engaging supporting wheel for rotation on an axis which is inclined slightly from the horizontal.

Above the inclined portion l8 of the post, is,-

positioned the substantially U-shaped body memher which is generally designated l9 and which comprises the back plate 20 and the top and bottom arm plates 2| and 22 respectively.

At the free innerend of the bottom arm plate are the spaced upwardly and backwardly curved portions 23 which form integral continuations of the plate and which function as guides for a portion of a cutter'supporting spring as herein after described.

The numeral 24 generally designates the can rest spring plate which is positioned against the back of the plate 20 and extends downwardly below the bottom, arm. plate 22' where it joins the inwardlyextending angled portion 25' which constitutes the can rest spring. This can rest spring 25 is biased to move upwardly or rise to the position shown in Figure 6 when no opposition is offered to such movement such as will be hereinafter described.

The forward or inner end of the can rest spring 25 has extending therefrom the spaced upwardly and reversely curved resilient arms 26 which enclose the guides 23 and are in spaced parallel relation therewith, when the spring 25 and bottom arm plate are in parallel relation, as shown in Figure 4.

As illustrated the body plate [9 and the can rest spring plate 2 !v are secured to the upper end of the post ill by thelong rivet pins 21 and interposed' between the post and the plate 24, and also held in position by the pins. 21, is a main spring plate 28. The upper end of this plate 28 is formed integrally with the right angularly extending top portion 29 which is disposed over and rests upon the top end of the post It and is joined, through the medium of the looped portion 30, which constitutes the spring element, with a horizontal top or head plate 3| which lies over the plate 29 and extends across the top arm plate 2|. This head plate 3| is formed integrally with the depending knife or cutter supporting plate 32 which extends down across the free ends of the top and bottom arm plates 2i and 22, the lower end of the plate 32 being reduced in width to provide the central extension 32' which passes between the spaced ends of the spring arms 26 and the guides 23 as is clearly illustrated in Figure 1.

Upon the inner side of this extension of the cutter supporting plate, is secured, by means of the screws 33 or in any other suitable manner, the knife blade cutter 34 which has the oblique cutting edge 35 which is disposed in a plane beneath the can rest spring 25.

The angular relation between the cutter blade supporting plate and the head plate 3| is made rigid whereby to prevent any relative movement between these plates, by the provision of the narrow web flanges at opposite sides of these plates, as best seen in Figures 2, 4 and 5 where such flanges are designated 36. Thus it will be seen that all flexing or bending action in this unit takes place in the looped spring portion 30 which is biased so that when downward pressureupon the top head plate 3| is-removed, in the manner hereinafter described, the'head plate will rise to shift the cutter 34 upwardly and outwardly as illustrated in Figure 6.

As will be readily apparent upon reference to Figures 4 and 6 the free ends of the spring arms 26 are so disposed that when the cutter supporting plate is pressed down to the vertical position shown in Figure 4, the lower edges thereof at opposite sides of the extensions 32 will bear upon'the upper sides-of the spring arms 26 and flex the can rest spring downwardly to the horizontal position in which it is shown in Figure 4. When such down pressure, by which the cutter supporting plate 32 is maintained in vertical position, is relieved so that the cutter plate and head plate may rise as shown in Figure 5, the can rest spring plate will move upwardly as shown in this last mentioned figure and as is also shown such upward movement will be limited through contact between the spring arms 26 and the guides 23.

The top and bottom arm plates 21 and 22 are suitably apertured to receive the ends of the guide sleeve 31, which ends are firmly secured to such arm plates so that the sleeve is held against movement.

Extending through substantially the entire length of the sleeve 31 is a tubular guide and bearing sleeve 38, the upper endof which is formed integrally with the disk head 39 which rests upon the top of the head plate 31 of the cutter supporting element. This guide and bearing sleeve 38 also passes through a suitable opening 40' which is formed in the head plate 3| and which is of sufficient sizeto'permit the head plate 3| to shift from a horizontal position to an inclined position and at the same time cause the guide bearing sleeve to move in a straight line.

Rotatably' supported in and extending through the guide and bearing sleeve 38 is a driving shaft 4|. The lower end of this shaft carries a miter gear 42, a portion of which is rotatably positioned in an opening 43 formed in the can rest spring plate 25, which opening is of sufficient diameter to permit the spring plate 25 to shift relative to the gear, without binding thereon. The teeth of this gear 42 are at all times below the spring plate 25.

While the gear 42 has been illustrated as being formed in one piece with the shaft 4|, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this construction but that the gear may be attached to the shaft as a separate unit, if desired.

Disposed above the disk 39 is an upright substantially U-shaped frame 44 which comprises the horizontal bottom portion 45 and the spaced vertical or upright arms 46. The upper end of the driving shaft 4| extends through the horizontal portion 45 of this frame and is secured in and against rotation relative to, a cross plate 41 which is secured between the arms 46 above the horizontal portion 45 of the frame as is most clearly seen in Figures 1, 4 and 6.

Each of the arms 46 of the frame 44 has the top edge out down slightly at the back of the frame to form the lowered stop shoulder 48. These shoulders provided by the two arms 46, limit the swinging movement of the hereinafter described operating handle.

Disposed over and enclosing the frame 44 is the handle yoke 49 which is also of substantially U-shaped form and is arranged in inverted position and comprises the side portions or wings 50 which are connected by the transverse web 5|. The yoke frame 49 is of a Width materially greater than the U-frame 44, as shown in Figure 1, and the arms 46 of the frame 44 are spaced from the side wings 50 of the yoke and such arms and wings are pivotally connected together by the transverse shaft 52 which extends across the upper end of the shaft 4|. As will be readily seen the yoke 49 oscillates on the ivot shaft or pin 52 and on the upright arms 46 and such oscillation is effected through the medium of the crank lever 53 which is secured at one end by the rivets 54 or in any other suitable manner, to the top of the transverse portion 5| of the yoke and carries at its outer end the hand grip or knob 55.

The top or transverse portion 5| of the yoke 49 is set forwardly slightly with respect to the pivot pin or shaft 52 so that when the hand crank 53 is in horizontal position the back edge of the portion 5| will be a substantial distance forwardly of the stop shoulders 48 as shown particularly in Figures 2 and 4, but when the handle is swung upwardly and rearwardly, the back edge of the portion 5| will swing down into engagement with the stop shoulders 48 and thus limit the swinging movement of the lower ends of the side portions or wings 56 of the yoke, as shown in Figure 6.

Each wing 59 of the yoke carries a pivot pin 56 which extends inwardly toward but terminates short of a Vertical arm 46 of the U-shaped frame 44. Each of these pivot pins carries a bearing wheel 51, the periphery of which has constant contactv with the underlying top surface of the head 39, when the crank is in its down, horizontal or operative position as shown in Figures 2 and 4. When the handle is raised to its inoperative position the bearing wheels are free of contact with the head 39, as shown in Figure 6 and the head plate 3| is then free to rise and lift the bearing sleeve on the driving shaft 4 When so lifted, the top of the disk head 39 engages against the underside of the cross member 45 of the U-frame 44. It will also be apparent that this shifting of the crank 53 to the raised or inoperative position results in the rising and outward movement of the cutter'knife. I

Positioned against the inclined inside face l8 of the post l9 is a stop plate 56 which is maintained in position by the relatively long bolt 51' which has the'reduced portion 58 which extends through the plate 56' and through the post l9 and receives the securing nut 59 upon its outer end. A portion of the length of the bolt 51' from the forward end or head end thereof constitutes. a bearing or arbor 60 upon which is rotatably mounted the relatively long hub portion 6| of .a miter gear 62. Interposed between the bearing portion 60 of the bolt and the stop plate 56', is a spacer collar 63. i

The stop plate 56 limits the downward movement of the post In through the base guide II. This stop plate prevents the driven miter gear and the can driving wheel 64 which forms an integral part of the gear, from engaging the base plate l3. Obviously, this stop plate may, if desired, be made as an integral part of the plate 28. Y

The miter gear 62 is in toothed connection with the shaft driven miter gear 42 and the integrally formed can rim engaging driving wheel 64 is provided with the peripheral teeth 65 which, when the can top cutting knife 34 is in lowered orv operative position, positions close to the inner side of the knife as shown in Figure 4. As is also shown in this figure the teeth 65 are in relatively close proximity to the underside of the spring plate 25 and it will therefore be understood that when the device is in use, the can rim flange will rest upon the teeth 65 and its top edge will bear against the undersideof the spring plate '25, the cutting edge of the knife penetrating the can top or head andengaging against the innerside of the flange in opposed relation with the teeth 65. When the operating crank or handle 53 is in down or horizontal position as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, the axes of the pivot pins 56 will be in line with the axis of the drive wheel shaft 4| so that the bearing wheels 51 roll upon the flange 39 in substantially a true circle in relation to the axis of the shaft 4|. When the operating handle 53 is in the position illustrated in Figure 2 the axis of the pivot pin or shaft 52 is slightly forward of the axisof the driving wheel shaft to prevent the handle 53 from accidentally swinging upwardly from the illustrated position,

Figure 7 illustrates a slight modification of the structure shown in Figures 1 to 6 to provide for the use of a disk or circular type cutter in place of the blade type. All of the parts are unchanged with the exception of the lower end portion of the cutter supporting plate. In this figure the lower end portion of such plate, corresponding'to the portion 32', Figure 1, is designated 32" and, as shown, this lower portion is extended at'a downward and outward inclination as indicated at 32" and this inclined portion has fixedtherein the reduced and screw threaded end 66 of a pivot bolt 61 which extends inwardly and downwardly. Upon the bolt 61 is rotatably mounted the disk cutter 68 which has a relatively long hub portion 69 whereby the desired degree of stabilityis given the cutter. A look nut 10 is threaded upon the reduced threaded portion 66 of the bolt whereby to securely maintain the latter in position.

It will be readily seen that the disk cutter 68 operates in association with the can rim engaging driving wheel 64 in exactly the same manner as does theknife 34 and accordinglyit is .not be- 9 can rest which is here generally designated 19a. In this construction as will be readily seen, the spring 9I bears against the upright portion of the can rest.

It will be seen upon reference to Figure that the unit 82 is so constructed that the wheel 83 may have slight axial movement upon the pivot bolt 86 against the tension of the spring 9I, such movement being permitted by reason of a slight clearance between the collar or washer 99 and the adjacent end of the spacer 88. This provides for the ready passage of a thickened portion of the can wall such as a seam or the like, between the supporting wheel 83 and the cutter.

As will be seen the structure shown in Figures 9 and 10 does not provide for a transmission of driving motion to the can rim flange through the medium of the supporting wheel but such driving motion is transmitted to the side of the flange by the periphery of the wheel 8Ib which is provided with oblique teeth for maintaining a nonslipping connection with the flange as described in my prior patent hereinbefore referred to.

In Figure 11 there is shown a modified construction of the device as illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, such modification residing in the cutter supporting spring construction.

Although illustrated as applied to the structure shown in Figures 1 to 6 of the present application, it is to be understood that the modification of Figure 11 may be applied to any structure shown in the present application or my prior Patent No. 2,386,499 of October 9, 1945, and irrespective of whether the opener structure is mounted on a vertical supporting post or on a horizontal arm extending from a wall or other supporting surface.

In this modified construction the numeral 92 generally designates the cutter supporting head which, unlike the previously described cutter supporting springs, is not of resilient material. This head comprises a top portion 93 and inner and outer vertical portions 94 and 95 respectively which have their sides joined by the continuous stiffening web or flange 96.

The rear vertical portion 95 is centrally cut out to receive or straddle the upper end of the supporting post I9c or a horizontal supporting bracket arm, not shown, if the device is to be used mounted upon such an arm. Thus the vertical portion 95 is formed to provide two depending legs 95a between which the post is located.

The numeral 91 designates the body plate with which is formed the right angularly extending a separate element if desired as in the preceding structure.

Formed integral with the lower part of the,

port for the unit 92, the central downwardly ex tended portion of the part 94 of which carries the cutter I95. Thus it will be seen that when the hand crank 530 is in downor horizontalposition for the operation of the device, the cutter will be depressed or forced downwardly so as to have its cutting edge in proper position with're spect to the cam rim engaging and driving wheel 940 but when the handle is raised the spring arms I93 will shift the forward part 94 of the'knife carrier to raise the same upwardly and away from the can driving wheel. I

It is to be understood that the spring arms I93 may be turned upwardly at the illustrated point or at any other point above or below the illustrated point .in order to eifect the desired lateral relation between the driving wheel 64c and the cutter I95 as the cutter is raised or lowered.

It is also to be understood that the disk or circular type'cutter illustrated in Figure 7 may be used with the constructions illustrated in Figures 8, 9, 10, or 11, if desired.

I claim:

l. A rotary type can opener, comprising a. head unit having a top plate and an angularly related depending cutter supporting plate, a cutter carried by said supporting plate, a support, spring biased means coupling said top plate with the support and constantly urging movement of the unit and cutter in one direction, a Wheel rotatably supported beneath the head unit adjalower arm 98 corresponding to the lower or bottom 4 arm plate 22. Y The upper end of the body plate also has an upper arm plate which is'not shown but which corresponds to the top arm plate 2| and between these arm plates is secured the sleeve 99. The mechanism within the sleeve and upon zontal can rest spring portion IN, the vertical portion I99 being secured to the upper end of the post I90, by means of the rivet pins 210, between the plate 91 and the plate I92, the lower portionof which may be extended to form the stop plate 560. However, this stop plate may be cent to the cutter and adapted to engage beneath and support a can rim flange, means for moving the head unit in the opposite direction against the spring biased means to bring the cutter into working relation with the wheel, means for transmitting rotary movement to a can supported by its rim on the wheel, and stiffening means connecting the top and depending plates together to maintain a rigid non-flexing relation therebetween and to restrict flexing action to the spring biased coupling means.

2. A can opener of the type set forth in claim 1, wherein the" said rotary movement transmitting means comprises a rotatable driving member, and a positive driving coupling between the said driving member and said wheel. I 3. A rotary type can opener of the character so forth in claim 1, wherein the said rotary movement transmitting means comprises a second wheel rotatably supported for engagement against a side of the can rim, and means for turning the second wheel.

4. A can opener of the character described, comprising a support, a plate secured to the support, a cutter. element carrier resiliently coupled with said plate and'including a horizontal top portion and a depending Portion, a cutter element carried by the depending, portion, a body secured to the support and lying beneath the top portion of the cutter element carrier and between the ,dependingiportion and the'support, a; shaft rotatably supported by the body and'extliding through the top portion of the cutter element carrier, said resilient coupling normally If; urging upward movement ofthecutter element carrierltos efiect. shifting of the cutter outward lizlfrom tli'e'shaft, means for. urging movement of th'e -cutter element-Z carrier in the opposite direc tionrtotmove thefcutter'towardsuch shaft, means f pr..s'eficting;rotation' of the shaft; a pivot pin. supported. beneath said. shaft and: extending" Olbfillfitb the axisofthe' sh'aft, a wheel rot'at any. supported 'upon the pivot pin and having its? periphery. adjacent tothe cutter, said wheel being maintainedlon' the pivot pin in a plane oblique? tbiithe adjacent'iside.Walllofla can applied to the? cutter whereby the. peripheral face-f! the wheel; willlbeanagainst. the underside of the'rim flange? of-ia can tossupportttliei latter, and means oper= a-tedlby andfluponlotation' of the shaft for imparting. rotary motion". to a: can supported" by its' rimupon'said'wh'eeli 5L1Aican1 opener. ofthe. character stated in claim 4,, wherein the; first mentioned support comprises a post, a plate; designed to be'secured to) a horizontal. supporting surface; and 'a' guide integralfrwith' .the plate having. the post. slidab'ly egtendedltherethrough.

, 6. A .rotary type. canopener; comprisingjjabody; portiontdesig-nedtot-be disposed adjacent to the topmflai cam .rim. flange, a wheel carried. by the: bbdfiz; portion. for rotation,.a support to which saidlb'ody. portion is .securedga .-pivot pin carried by; said support ly and 1 extending obliquely across; the rotary axis of saidl'wheelland in spacedTre= lation with the wheel; a wheel mounted forrotationtuponthe pivot pin vand havingits peripheny, adjacent to; the periphery of the first wheel, aicutter carriedby thetb'ody for movement relative' to; the wheels f and. adapted" to secure the flfi ige. of; a. can rim between the second men tionedlwheel and ltheflcutter, the second mene tionedi'wheelTfbeingadapted to engage the under; side of 1 a.-can'. rim... fiangefor the support of the latter meansifors moving, the cutter relative to the;secondlmentioned;wheel; means for rotating theifirst l mentioned wheel; ,and means for trans mitting. rotary motion. of the first mentioned wheel: to the fiangeof .thecan engaged on the .pe ripliery. oflthe. second. mentioned wheel to effect rotation .ofith'e can-relative to the cutter.

t Y 7? Acan openeroith'e character statedin'claim filrwh'ereinssaid. support comprises a post; .a plate member: adapted. to be secured .to' a supporting body, a lguide;formedLintegra'L'with th'epl'ate and adaptedito receive;said post Lfor" maintaining the DD ti-inia verticallposition, and 'alstop carried'by trier post for; limiting; its downwardi movement tfirougtftlieguid'e.

8? Acan opener'of thechara'cter.stated'inclaim .6, with. a caniresti spring; plate secured to' the supportandi. disposed to. extend" over: the periphery; of the... second; mentioned 1 wheel i. and". trans- 'versely ofttlie cutter andja'dapted t'o'be' engaged by-ftheltop edgeofi'the' can rim fi'angeiwhen the latter'is in positionupon the peripheryj'of "the sec and; mentioned wheel,,said spring plate .bein'g biasedlto move away from the periphery of the second mentioned wheel, and means for engag- .ihg thesprin'g' plate; and fl'exingj' the same to. a

91 A .rotarytype can opener 'comprising'fa, supportjlmpair "otil'armiplates' secured to the support liJ,L verticallwspaced".relation; a" resilient can rest plat'e'securedtothe supportand disposedbeneath 12 thelowerionezofzthe'pair-inf?armzplatesf'and biasedfi to normallymove upward toward the a'dj a'cent-Z- arm" plate," a' cutter supportincluding a top -platee late: the dependingapl-atee downwardlyand in'a wardlyagainst the action? of saidwresili'ent meanss said depending plates when: moved downwardly? functioning to forceesaidvv can; resteplate? down? wardly, a canrimflan'ge'enga'ging andsuppo ting wheel" rotatably mounted F beneath ther. can: rest? plate for-rcooperative actionzwithisaid-fcutter when the cutter .is moved; downwardly. andrza driving; connection" between said iwheel iandttsaidfsha-ttrfon imparting rotary motion toz-thezwheel;

10. rotary =typecan zopenerr offtheiccharacterz stated in claimi wherein .said wheel islsupptorted from said supportitolturmonzamaidszextendingi obliqueito the axiseofithezshaft wherebyi-therwheelturnsfinianinchnedfplaner 11E A?rotary 'typeit'c'amopenerrofithe character: stated? in claim" 9, whereinzsaidawheel includes.- gear: teeth; and; a geari'carriedrbyp the-i-shaft -and operatively coupled: with: thee gear? teeth .or the wheel.

12:v Airotary canvopener of thezcharactert'stated in.:c'laim 9', .wherein:asaidaresilienttcan rest-plate includes a pair of upwardly extending substane tialiy semicircular:armsvhavingtthein upper ends disposed in zthe", line.- of.\ movementeof-t portions; of the": lower" edge 2 of: the.- depending; plate: to be en gauged by such plateizupon .movement thereoi in a direction to bring-the cutter. into: operative rela ti'omwith saictwheel;

13: A:rotaryjtypeman opener comprising a sup e port, a body secured to theesupport and including vertically spaced r upper: and dowerarm plates; a shaft* extending between andthrough the .4 arm plates-rand supportedthereby for rotation, acute terlspring .unitdn'cludi-ng awvertical plate secured to thesupport, a-headpl-ate-and adependingplate forming: an integral; continuation off. thehead plate, ,a; spring element between...theeheadlplate and. the: vertical. plate; a cutter. carried. by, the depending plate, means; operatively connected with.the upper endoiltheshaft'for effecting-roe tation.ot..the..-samei andilfor. applyinmdown thrust tot-said :head platatolmovstheisame a'gainstftlie action ..of..'said 'springgto bring-the cutter supporti ing, dependingmlate i into. vertical position, a can rim.-flange.engaging' and fsu'pportingwheel; a pit? ot .pin.carried"from saidsupportandihaving said wheel. rotatably mounted thereon; ,said'ipimbeing disposediacross the lowerfendtofsaidshaft and oblique tovthe length of the shaft'wliereb'y thetop partof the wheel is'closer. to-"thecutter"th'an'the lower. part; of? the wheelwhen". the cutter is I in 'workingposition relativetothewheel', a'canrim fliang engaging. driving" wheel carried upjonthe lower. end of the" shaftandf having a portion of its .periphery in close proximityto-"and -above* the periphery ofthe'first wheel, andmeansyieldingly holding the. first *wheel against axial movement uppn the'pivot'pin.

14. A rotarytypei can" opener of"trie -character" stateddnbIa-imiB; wherein 'the'support *comprises' a vertical post, "a plate :adapted to be secured to the top of a supporting surface such as a table or the like, and a guide carried by the plate and having said post slidably extended therethrough.

15. A rotary type can opener of the character stated in claim 13, wherein the supporting means for said pivot pin includes a plate having spaced relation with the first mentioned wheel, said first mentioned wheel including a hub, the said yieldable means for the first mentioned wheel including a coil spring interposed between the hub and the last mentioned plate.

16. A rotary type can opener of the character stated in claim 13, wherein the supporting means for said pivot pin includes a plate having spaced relation with the first mentioned wheel, said first mentioned wheel including a hub, the said yieldable :means for the first mentioned wheel including a coil spring interposed between the hub and the last mentioned plate, and said support comprising a vertical post against which said last mentioned plate is positioned, a plate adapted to be secured to the top of a supporting body such as a table or the like, a guide secured to the last mentioned plate and adapted to have said post slidably positioned therein, the plate against which said spring means bears functioning as a stop to limit the downward movement of the post through the guide.

17. A rotary type can opener comprising a support, a body carried by the support and including top and bottom arm plates, means carried by the arm plates forming a shaft guide and bearing, a rotary shaft extending through said guide and bearing, a cutter carrying head unit including a head plate disposed above said top arm plate, a depending plate spaced from said body and support and .a pair of depending legs having said support interposed therebetween, a pair of spring arms secured to the support and each secured to one of said legs, said spring arms being biased to normally swing said head unit upwardly to eiTect movement of the depending plate away from the shaft, a cutter element carried by the depending plate, a can rim flange engaging wheel rotatably supported below the bottom arm plate for cooperative action with said cutter, a driving connection between said shaft and said wheel, and means operatively connected with the shaft for effecting rotation of the same and for also applying downward thrust to said head member to move the latter against the bias of the spring arms to bring the cutter into cooperative relation with said wheel.

18. A rotary type can opener of the type stated in claim 17, with a resilient can rest plate connected with said support and disposed beneath said bottom arm plate and above the can rim flange engaging supporting wheel, and means for applying downward thrust to said resilient can rest plate upon downward swinging of the cut- 'ter supporting plate.

ROBERT E. MCLEAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

